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Does Home Insurance Cover Air Conditioners?

Homeowners insurance covers A/C damaged by covered perils which include fire, lightning, wind, hail, snow, ice damage and more. Read on to learn more, we’ll also look into home insurance coverage for leaks caused by A/C units.

Read Time: 9 mins

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A damaged air conditioner is a plain pain in the scorching months. Not only does it make things uncomfortable, but it may also incur hefty repair bill. A lot of homeowners are not sure whether or not their home insurance policy covers air conditioners.

Home insurance does cover air conditioners but only if the damage is caused by “covered perils” listed in the policy. On the other hand, you can’t expect your insurer to pay for AC repair bills if the damage is the outcome of a lack of maintenance. In this article, we will get into all the details of when your air conditioning unit is covered and when it is not.

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When Will You Get The Coverage?

So, when will you be able to claim coverage from your home insurance company if your AC unit is damaged? According to experts, there are 3 main cases where you can ask for coverage from your insurer for your damaged or broken air conditioner.

Damage From Falling Trees & Vandalism

Home insurance companies generally provide coverage to damages on home caused by falling trees. And this coverage extends to the appliances in your home as well. So, if a big falling branch has shattered your AC unit, you can certainly ask for reimbursement from your insurer. 

Damage From Lightning Strikes

lightning strike on AC is dangerous and leads to serious damage. You will be glad to know that a standard home insurance policy does cover AC damage from lightning. Direct strike on the AC may lead to fire accidents, ruining the different electrical components inside the device. If you ever find yourself in such a  mishap, make sure to inform your home insurer. The company will reimburse the repair bills that you incurred while fixing the destroyed electrical stuff. 

Damage From Burst Pipes

This is another main event when your damaged AC will be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Burst pipes are not uncommon in cold temperatures and such accidents can damage your AC unit big time. It’s to stress, a standard home insurance policy generally covers damage caused to home appliances from frozen burst pipes.

The Difference In Coverage Between Central AC & Window AC

It’s to note here that home insurance companies generally follow different coverage principles when it comes to window AC and central AC. As a central AC unit sits inside your home, it’s treated as a part of the entire home’s structure. Thus, the chances of getting coverage for damaged central AC units are always high.

To be precise, central air conditioners are covered by home insurers under the section of “open perils”. It implies the damage incurred by the unit will be covered provided the factors leading to the cause are clearly excluded. The term “open perils” refer to hazards that are particularly excluded on the homeowners insurance policy. Some of the typical perils that policies tend to exclude are:

  • Water damage
  • Flood
  • Earthquake
  • Damage from insects or animals
  • Negligence
  • Government action or war
  • Smog
  • And more

When Will You Not Get The Coverage?

As mentioned previously, your home insurance policy won’t extend coverage for AC issues caused by poor maintenance on part of the owner. For example, if you have been using an AC unit for almost a decade, it’s bound to burn out naturally. A home insurance policy won’t offer protection for damages incurred by outdated and aging air conditioners. Besides, your home insurer won’t pay for normal wear & tear glitches in your AC unit.

HOIC Tip:

If you want your air conditioner to be covered in case of a breakdown, you should consider adding equipment breakdown coverage. This coverage reimburses homeowner in case of breakdown of the major systems in the house such as boilers, generators, water heaters, and electrical panels, HVAC systems and most insurance companies offer it.

Additionally AC damages resulting from sudden accidents won’t receive homeowners insurance coverage as well. For example, if kids in your block hit and damage your AC with a flying “six” while playing cricket, you have to pay the repair bills on your own.

Then, be careful about water damage. AC units tend to produce water. Now, if that AC-generated water seeps into your home and damages wall and floor, that will be dubbed as maintenance glitch on your part. So, naturally, in such situations, your home insurance policy won’t take care of the repair bills. 

When to File a Claim to Your Insurer to Cover Damaged AC?

Do not rush to call up your insurer the moment you encounter a damaged AC. First, you will survey, check the causes and then make an estimate of repair costs. Then, if the damage is eligible for home insurance coverage- compare the repair costs with the estimated repair amount from the insurer. If the repair/replacement costs seem to be less than the reimbursement amount you will receive, don’t bother your insurer. If you start filing insurance claims for every little thing, you will only end up with higher premiums end of the month. Thus, you will only file the claim if the repair/replacement costs seem to be higher compared to the policy’s deductible.

Does Home Insurance Cover Damage Caused by A/C Leaks?

Home insurance may cover damage caused by AC leaks if the leak is caused by a covered peril in your policy, such as fire, lightning, wind, or a sudden pipe burst. However, home insurance will not cover damage caused by AC leaks if the leak is due to normal wear and tear, maintenance issues, or mechanical failure of the AC unit.

If your AC unit leaks and causes water damage to your home or personal belongings, you may be able to file a claim with your home insurance company for the cost of repairs or replacement. However, you will need to prove that the leak was caused by a sudden and accidental event that is covered by your policy. You will also need to pay your deductible and comply with any policy limits or exclusions.

Some examples of AC leaks that may be covered by home insurance are:

  • A lightning strike damages your AC unit and causes it to leak water into your attic and ceiling
  • A fire breaks out in your home and damages your AC unit and ducts, causing them to leak water into your walls and floors.
  • A tree falls on your roof during a storm and damages your AC unit and vents, causing them to leak water into your living room and furniture.
  • A pipe bursts suddenly in your AC unit and causes it to leak water into your basement and carpet.

Some examples of AC leaks that may not be covered by home insurance are:

  • Your AC unit is old and worn out and starts leaking water due to corrosion or rust.
  • Your AC unit is poorly maintained and starts leaking water due to clogs or cracks in the drain pan or lines/.
  • Your AC unit is improperly installed or modified and starts leaking water due to faulty wiring or connections.
  • Your AC unit is damaged by flooding or earthquake, which are typically excluded from most home insurance policies.

To prevent AC leaks and avoid costly repairs or claims, you should regularly inspect and maintain your AC unit, especially before the summer season. You should also consider purchasing equipment breakdown coverage or a home warranty for extra protection for your AC unit and other appliances. These optional coverages can help you pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your AC unit if it breaks down due to mechanical or electrical failure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does home insurance cover AC units that are stolen or vandalized?

Yes, home insurance typically covers AC units that are stolen or vandalized under the personal property coverage section of your policy. However, you may need to provide proof of ownership and value of the AC unit, as well as a police report if applicable. You will also need to pay your deductible and comply with any policy limits or exclusions.

Does home insurance cover AC units that are damaged by power surges?

Yes, home insurance usually covers AC units that are damaged by power surges under the dwelling coverage section of your policy. However, some policies may exclude power surges caused by lightning or utility failures, so you should check your policy details or contact your insurance agent or company for clarification. You will also need to pay your deductible and comply with any policy limits or exclusions.

Does home insurance cover AC units that are damaged by hail or wind?

Yes, home insurance generally covers AC units that are damaged by hail or wind under the dwelling coverage section of your policy. However, some policies may have higher deductibles or lower limits for hail or wind damage, especially in areas that are prone to these hazards. You should check your policy details or contact your insurance agent or company for clarification. You will also need to pay your deductible and comply with any policy limits or exclusions.

Does home insurance cover AC units that are damaged by fire or water?

Yes, home insurance typically covers AC units that are damaged by fire or water under the dwelling coverage section of your policy. However, some policies may exclude fire or water damage caused by negligence, intentional acts, or faulty installation or repair of the AC unit. You should check your policy details or contact your insurance agent or company for clarification. You will also need to pay your deductible and comply with any policy limits or exclusions.

Does home insurance cover AC units that are damaged by normal wear and tear or mechanical failure?

No, home insurance does not cover AC units that are damaged by normal wear and tear or mechanical failure under any section of your policy. These types of damage are considered maintenance issues and are the responsibility of the homeowner. You should regularly inspect and maintain your AC unit to prevent these types of damage and avoid costly repairs or replacement. You may also consider purchasing equipment breakdown coverage or a home warranty for extra protection for your AC unit and other appliances.

Consider Home Warranty 

From the above discussions, we can infer there are several situations where your broken AC may not be covered by your home insurance policy. But no worries – you can always check out a home warranty program. Also known as repair insurance, the policy will take care of the repair and replacement expenses of your broken AC unit. You can browse the internet for a reputed home warranty insurance program. Additionally, some home sellers may extend a handy home warranty program to homebuyers.

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ABOUT AUTHOR
Andrey has an expertise in auto and homeowners insurance. Having written and edited for several financial blogs online since 2010, Andrey has gained a clear understanding of home insurance policies, coverages, perils and how homeowners policies vary from state to state.
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